Portable automatic vehicle canopy

ABSTRACT

The invention provides an improved cover for a vehicle, which includes a frame and a hinge, so that the cover can be unfolded to substantially cover the vehicle and folds back into a storage position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to covers. More specifically, the presentinvention relates to those covers which can automatically andeffortlessly be unfolded from a storage position to provide coveringprotection for vehicles of all kinds. It teaches a simple automaticmethod of deploying a cover to protect a vehicle anywhere, at all timeswithout the need for struggling with cumbersome canvas cover or withoutbuilding expensive covered garage.

Description of the Prior Art

From the earliest days of vehicles with covered passenger compartmentsto the present, vehicle operators have contended with the elements. Insummer, the sun beating down on a vehicle not only degrades the exteriorfinish of the vehicle, but also turns the passenger compartment into anoven. People, especially children are known to die because of the heatinside cars. Rain, particularly mud rains not only dirty the vehiclesurfaces, but also permanently fade the finish. During the winter, snowand ice cake on the outside surface, particularly the windows, requiringthe operator to brave the elements to scrape the windows for the purposeof enhancing driving safety. Hail may actually dent the vehicle surfaceor damage the finish. Bigger hail may even crack the window glasses.

To overcome these problems, car covers consisting of fabric or plastics,shaped to the form of the particular vehicle, have long been in use.Such cover may be stored in the trunk of the vehicle in a folded state,and then taken out and spread over the vehicle to provide protection.Although such cover does protect the vehicle from the elements, a numberof drawbacks exist. First, the cover must be manually placed on thevehicle, manually removed and manually folded. Not only is thisprocedure time consuming, but also difficult for one person, especiallythose who do not have the energy to manage, particularly with largervehicles. Second, freezing state may occur between the cover and thesurface it lays on. Third, the contact between the surfaces may damagethe vehicle surface due to smears and scratches. After a snowfall, it isnecessary to clear the cover of ice and snow before it can be properlyfolded and stored.

To overcome these problems, automatically extending and retractingvehicle covers have been developed. Thus, U.S. Pat. No. 4,174,134 toMathis teaches a cover which is stored on a roller. The leading edge ofthe cover is attached to conveyor lines. When a motor is operated, theroller turns and the lines move so as to draw the cover over thepassenger compartment of the vehicle.

Several problems exist with the cover assembly disclosed in Mathis.First, the conveyor lines are directed simply by rollers. Thus, atendency may exist for the conveyor lines to jump off of the rollers,particularly in winter when ice and snow may interfere with smoothoperation. Also, although the Mathis cover might protect the uppersurfaces of the vehicle, rarely does the sun shine from directlyoverhead and rarely does snow fall absolutely vertically, unaffected bywind. The Mathis cover provides no protection for the sides of thevehicle. Finally, if snow should fall while the cover is extended, itwould be the cover so that the ice and snow is not rolled in with thecover.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,688,513 to Poirier teaches a power operated vehiclecover that solves some of the problems of the Mathis cover, yet createsadditional problems. Thus, Poirier teaches the use of flaps to protectthe sides of a vehicle. However, the flaps must be positioned manually,thus introducing some of the inconvenience inherent with fully manualcovers. Also, although the cover extends automatically from a roll inthe rear of the vehicle, it appears that no guides are employed toensure that the cover proceeds properly from the roller. Finally, aswith Mathis, if snow should fall while the cover is extended, it wouldbe necessary to scrape the cover prior to retraction to ensure that snowis not rolled with the cover upon retraction. A number of other U.S.patents, in addition to the two discussed above also describe vehiclecovers. See U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,727,898, 4,432,581, 3,992,053, 3,222,102,3,021,894, 1,999,171, 1,918,423, 1,912,231 1,719,055.

The problems with the previous patents include: complexity of the coversystem, the need for extra storage space on the vehicle, difficulty ininstalling cumbersome canvases every time it is to be deployed,inconvenient energy sapping task of deploying the car cover duringdeployment and laborious time consuming work to dispose snow and debris.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

The object of this invention is to provide a portable automatic carcover which is simple to install, and easy for convenient operation. Itis to solve all the above problems and more.

Vehicle owners face numerous problems which are related to protection ofhuman life, health and economy. Cars become dirty due to dust, treepollens, rain, mud and snow. Heat from the sun scorches the interior ofthe vehicle causing the upholstery to deteriorate. People also die fromthe heat inside the vehicle. Such heat also causes discoloration of theexterior requiring expensive car body maintenance. The need to scrapesnow off the vehicle is another chore to contend with. An effective wayof covering the vehicles for protection against the element remains aproblem which is the object of this invention.

Covered parking facilities or covering the vehicle with fabrics are thepresent-day options. The problem with car canopy is that it is stationedin one place and therefore cannot be used everywhere the car is parked.Furthermore, building expensive permanent covered garage takes up toomuch lot space. Renting covered garage space is also an unendingfinancial drain for those who have no other options. The difficulty indeploying the cover fabric has brought no relief to the problem. Theother options are to build or rent covered car garage space or buy andinstall car canopy, all of which are only fixed at one spot.

Numerous patents, as indicated above, have been granted to solve theseproblems. Each granted patent has its own problem because it offers onlypartial solution to the problem

It is therefore necessary to find a new way of solving the problem.Hence, the main object of this invention is to provide a simple coverfor vehicles, which is easy and convenient to deploy especially by thosewho are incapacitated or handicapped and therefore need other people'shelp. More specifically the objects of the present invention are:

1. To provide a portable car cover which is convenient to handle whencovering a car for protection.

2. to provide a permanently installed car cover so that the car isprotected at all times, wherever it is parked.

3. to make it easy for the disabled and unwell drivers to effortlesslymanipulate their car cover automatically while standing from oneposition, thus avoiding the need to move around the vehicle to fold orto unfold the cumbersome fabric;

4. to provide comfortable ride to the occupants of a protected car aswell as to minimize the effects of death causing heat in the passengercompartment;

5. to minimize the need for frequent car wash which can save humanenergy, time and expense;

6. to save costly lot space normally reserved for covered garage next tothe home, thus enabling home owner to add more room to the house;

7. to eliminate the parking expense in covered garages away from home;

8. to minimize cost of maintaining the interior and exterior of the car;

9. to ensure longer service life of the car and high resale value of thevehicle.

10. to convert the same car cover into an extra source of shade outsidethe vehicle when necessary.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes the problems identified above byproviding portable automatic car cover which can be deployed whenevernecessary. The cover system is permanently installed or hinged to carsurface. When needed, it automatically unfolds and extends outwardly tocover the outside surface of the vehicle. When it is not in use, thecover is folded back by the same automation into a storage positionwhere it is securely held against unwanted removal.

In general, the cover comprises plurality of elongated rotatable roundframes to which cover sheets are hinged. The cover flaps can be deployedone by one or all together simultaneously. The deployment is facilitatedby attachment of handles which crank the rotatable frames. The automaticmanipulation is done from one position near the vehicle, enabling theowner, especially the handicapped, —to cover the property convenientlywithout having to move around the vehicle, particularly when the snowand ice is on the ground.

Separate layer of cover sheets are hinged to the frames or directly tothe roof of the vehicle to cover the roof of the vehicle. —The hingesare spring loaded to enable the operator to shake off the snow or to getrid of debris on the roof of the vehicle. To do so, the roof covers arelifted up with a handle and swung open like horizontal single casementwindow and turned to the side of the vehicle thus shaking and droppingoff the debris away from the sides of the vehicle. To return the wholecover system into storage position, the process is reversed and the flatroof cover sheet is first folded back to lay on the roof of the vehiclebefore the cover sheets for the sides and hoods are folded back forstorage. The stored cover sheets are secured in position by securitymechanism which snaps into position to prevent flailing dangerouslyespecially when the vehicle is in motion. When the cover sheets are insuch storage position, they cannot be easily noticed on the vehicle,thus avoiding interference with the esthetics of the vehicle.

This arrangement provides numerous advantages. The cover protects thevehicle surfaces from direct exposure to the sun's rays. As a result, itreduces the effects of uncomfortably hot temperature to which avehicle's interior typically rises during the summer. Both the interiorand exterior of the vehicle can be protected from the damaging effectsof the sun, such as scorching, scratching, fading, discoloration andwear, resulting in lower maintenance costs, longer car life, enhancedresale value as well as reducing the need to purchase new car. In thesame regard, energy is conserved by reducing the need for airconditioning. The finish is protected from hail, rain and mud rain, thusreducing color fading. It also reduces the time, human energy and moneyfrequently spent on washing and polishing the vehicle. The effortlessand convenient way of deploying the cover with the push of a button or alever or by remote control, enables the unwell and the disabled driversto operate and enjoy the comfort of their automobile. The owner does notneed to build expensive car garage next to the residence. The newinvention enables the owner to park the car anywhere, protected at alltime without the need for expensive covered garage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention willbecome more apparent and more readily appreciated from the followingdetailed description of the presently preferred exemplary embodiment ofthe invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, ofwhich:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the presently preferred exemplaryembodiment of this invention showing the cover system as assembled,installed and deployed on a vehicle.

FIG. 2 is an exploded plan view of the mechanical assembly of thisinvention with elongated rotatable round frames engaged at two ends withpower transmission angle gearing system with cranking handles, asinstalled on the roof rack frames of a vehicle.

FIG. 3 is a side end view of assembly of an installation bracket systemto be deployed when installing the cover system onto a vehicle roofrack.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of assembly of round rotatable frames arranged ina rectangular form and engaged at three corners by around corner powertransmission gear system,

FIG. 5 is a plan view of an example of assembly of one unit of coversheets as fastened to a single rotatable round frame.

FIG. 6 is an abbreviated plan view of the assembly of cover systemshowing the rotatable frames engaged to each other witharound-corner-power-transmission angle gears and endless cross-chain orcross belt drive on sprockets.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a complete assembly of the cover system, asassembled and hinged to a vehicle surface also showing expansion hingeson the cover sheets.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the present invention showing the front andside end views of the cover sheets for the front wind shield, and coverretention bar and latch system.

FIG. 9 is a partial side end view of a vehicle showing the cover sheetscovering one side end views of the cover sheets for the front and rearwind shields.

FIG. 10 is a side end view of the cover system demonstrating thesequence of folding up into a storage position on a vehicle roof.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of the presently preferred embodiment of thisinvention with a security latch system which holds the cover in place.

FIG. 12 is a plan view of cover sheets in unfolded position hingeddirectly to the surface of a car

FIG. 13 is a plan view of the cover sheets in a deployed position,showing automatic deployment mechanism by means of a combination of areel and chords.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a folding sheet fastened to each otherby means of a hinge to make it foldable for storage.

FIG. 15 is a plan view of telescoping method of rotatable round framefastened to cover sheets; the telescoping method is to make the framesfit on all sizes of vehicles.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Methods of Automated Deployment of Portable Vehicle Canopy

The following detailed mechanical construction of portable automaticvehicle canopy is designed to fully demonstrate the making, theapplication and the benefits of this new invention. The basic concept ofthis new invention is the idea of permanent installation, direct orindirectly, of the main frames of the cover system to the roof of avehicle. It is from here that all the proposed methods of deploying thecover as detailed below, depend on the permanent fastening aspect.

The whole cover system comprises of two major components along withattachment and installation parts. These are the rotatability of themain frame hinged on the roof of a vehicle and the attachment of thecover sheets to the frames. The other fundamental basis of thisapplication is the various methods of deploying the cover system all ofwhich depend on the foundations mentioned above. These include: (1)around corner power transmission method, (2) engagement of rotatableframes by gearing method, (3) applying power by motor attachment, (4)deployment of the covers by reeling mechanism, (5) deployment of endlesscross chain or cross belt on sprockets, and finally (6) direct hingingof the cover sheets to the roof and turning/deploying the sheet withbare hand. The following detailed specification will make this conceptmore understandable.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2, 5, and 14, rotatable round frame 111 isdisposed with cover sheets 118 hinged to it, by means of cover sheethinge 114.

Mounting the cover system on a vehicle requires the followingobservation: As illustrated in FIGS. 1,2, 3, 4, 5 and 7, four units ofFIG. 5 are assembled to form a general rectangular shape in preparationto be mounted on a vehicle roof rack 115 and fastened to it by means ofinstallation bracket system 113. The mounting bracket is tightened bybolts 123.

Once the assembly is mounted on the roof of a vehicle, cover sheets 118are fastened to the rotatable round frames. The installation andfastening of the cover sheets are such that the attachments are arrangedin tandem to minimize collision of the cover sheets while in the processof being retrieved to go into storage position.

Once mounted the turning of the frames and sheet require a controlmechanism during the deployment process.

When the cover sheets are loaded with heavy foreign material such assnow, it will be difficult to turn all the cover sheets together. It istherefore necessary to introduce a mechanism which should help to solvethe problem. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, bolt 121 is disposed oninstallation bracket 113 to control the turning of the rotatable roundframe 111. When the bolt is loosened, the rotatable frame can rotate onits own longitudinal axis. When the bolt is tightened the rotationcontrol bolt stops the rotatable round frame from turning freely. Screw127 is disposed on cover sheet hinge 114 to control the turning of coversheet around rotatable round frame.

When becomes necessary to turn the cover sheet one by one, control bolt121 is tightened and the cover sheet turning control screws 127 areloosened. When it is necessary to turn all the cover sheets together,the cover sheet turning control screws are tightened, and the rotatableround frame rotation control bolt is loosened. This mechanicalarrangement facilitates the deployment of the cover system, one by onewhen necessary, to cover and uncover the vehicle conveniently,especially when there is extra load on the cover sheets. It would alsominimize the strain and the need to make unnecessary maneuvers aroundthe vehicle, especially during the snow period.

As more clearly shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, installation bracket 113 isdisposed on the rotatable round frame 115 and tightened in position bymeans of bolts 123.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6, the rotatable round frames111 are fitted with manipulation cranking handles 116 to deploy thecover system. The other alternative means of deploying the cover systemare bare hand or by motor which can also be activated by remote controloperation.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 7, cover sheets 118 are assembleddisposed and fastened at one side edge to round rotatable round frames111. The fastening is done by deploying cover sheet clamp 114. Theassembly and installed on top of a vehicle roof rack frame 115 by meansof bracket system 113. cranking handle 116 is fitted on to the rotatableround frame for turning the frame toward a desired direction.

The turning or rotating function of the rotatable round frame is made byapplying force to the crank Cranking mechanism handles 116 is attachedto the rotatable round frame to make it easy to turn each rotatableframe one by one. Round-corner power transmission mechanism 112 isdisposed to engage the adjacent rotatable round frames at corners wherethey meet. This arrangement makes it much easier to manipulate anddeploy two adjacent cover system simultaneously.

As best illustrated in FIG. 5, the exemplary cover sheets are disposedand fastened, each with one side edge to the rotatable frames 111. Thisarrangement makes the cover sheets to cover and uncover the vehiclesurfaces when the frames are made to rotate in a required direction.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2, and 3, in this exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention, rotatable round frames 111 are installed on car roofrack frames 115 by means of installation brackets 113. Bracket bolts 123are deployed to tighten the fastening of brackets 113 on to roof rackframe 115.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 7, as an improvement to theversion which uses only one around-corner power transmission devise, thearound-corner power transmission devises are installed on more than onecorner of the assembly of the round rotatable frames 111. This makes iteasier to deploy the whole cover system by deploying only one crank 116from one position near the vehicle.

As more clearly demonstrated in FIGS. 2, 4, and 7, the cranking can alsobe powered by attaching motors to the system. In addition, attaching aremote control devise to the motor makes the deployment of the coversystem and therefore, the invention of portable automatic vehicle canopymore realistic as intended in the objectives.

As best illustrated in FIG. 6 of this exemplary mechanism, fourrotatable round frames 111 are assembled in a rectangular form similarto that of the shape of a vehicle roof. From among various electricaland mechanical methods of power transmission this invention makes use oftwo mechanical power transmission methods as examples. These includecombination of sprockets and cross chain engagement method on one part,and around corner power transmission gearing method disposed on twoopposite corners of the assembly of the cover system as demonstratedbelow.

In the first example of power transmission method, two around cornerpower transmission mechanisms 112 are deployed on the opposite cornersof the assembly to adjoin and engage the adjacent ends of the framestogether. This arrangement is to make the two adjacent frames to rotatesimultaneously. These round corner power transmission gears can bedeployed on as many corners as necessary for complete automation of thedeployment of the system.

In the second example of power transmission method, sprockets 119 areinstalled on two of the rotatable round frames 111. Crossing chain orbelt is installed so as to force the rotating round frames to turn inopposite directions when activated. Cover sheets 118 are fastened to therotatable round frames. Cranking handle is installed at one end of oneof the rotatable round frames. This mechanical arrangement enables thewhole cover system to be deployed simultaneously when the crank handleis turned one direction or the other.

The cover system as designed in this invention, whether it is indeployment state or in storage position, requires a mechanism whichretains it in that position. Such retainer devise should be able toprotect the cover system against flailing when the car is in motion, andagainst unwanted removal when it is in storage position. The method ofachieving such security is specified below.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 8, 9, and 11, front windshield 124 isfitted with retainer bar 125 which is configured to accommodate securitylatch 126. The combination of both the latch and the retainer bar isdeployed to securely hold the front windshield and the rear cover sheetsin place both during deployment and when in storage positions. The sameobjective can be achieved by disposing a simple tying cable over thecover sheets and fastening it to the surrounding objects on the vehicle.

As best illustrated in FIG. 14, cover sheets 118 are fitted with hinge122. The hinge is designed to facilitate easy folding of the two halvesof the same sheet into compact size which is necessary when the coversheet is to be returned into storage position. Once stored properly insuch folded fashion it would not show on top of the vehicle, thusmaintaining good external appearance of the vehicle. The foldability ofthe sheet also helps in minimizing flailing. The other purpose ofdeploying the hinge is to increase and extend the size of the sheetswhen it unfolds from a storage position to cover more surface. It isalso possible to engage two cover sheets in a way of making them slideinto each other to achieve the same purpose. The hinging component isintended to be commonly applicable to all cover sheets in thisapplication.

The cover system so far described provides protection for vehiclewindows only. The roof of a vehicle is equally subject to the element.It is therefore necessary to provide protection for the roof of vehicleas specified below. As best illustrated in FIGS. 1, and 7, in thisexemplary embodiment, roof cover sheets 129 are permanently disposed ontop surface of a vehicle in a storage position. The roof cover can beloosely hinged directly to either the roof 117 or to the rotatable frame111 for easy unfolding one by one. All the hinging mechanism indicatedabove can be of spring-loaded hinging type which facilitates the shakingoff of the snow. Such arrangement facilitates easy off-loading of debristo the side of the vehicle and returned to its permanent flat positionto cover the roof of the vehicle. This additional roof coveringcomponent is to supplement the function of full protective coverage forthe vehicle.

Any foreign material that lands on vehicle surface creates mess. Debrisleave smears on the windows and wind shields. All external surface ofvehicles require frequent expensive washing and cleaning because eitherthe vehicle is not properly covered, or the cover itself leaves thesmear and dirt on the surface with which it comes in direct contact. Thefollowing specification of spacer between the cover and the surfaceillustrates the method of solving the problem.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 5, 7, and 8, of this exemplaryillustration, spacers 133 are disposed on cover sheets close to wherethey touch the vehicle surface. This way the spacers create and maintainair buffer space between the two surfaces, so that the covers do notfreeze or cake on the surface when it is cold. Use of proper material ofthe spacer prevents damages to the covered surface due to scratches whenthe two surfaces come in contact. All cover sheets in this applicationare intended to be provided with spacers. Any cover for a vehicle asdesigned in this invention, unless it has a means of full protection atall times, faces the effects of the force of the element, such asflailing which damages the property, as well as vandalism or unwantedremoval. The following specification illustrates a method of solving theproblem.

As best illustrated in FIG. 10, the whole cover system with sheets 118,124, and 130 for all windows and hood surfaces is shown in storageposition on top of a vehicle. It also demonstrates the proper sequentialmanipulation steps; which is that the front windshield cover is turnedand folded last after all the other cover sheets have been folded up instorage position. Wind break 132 is also provided to supplement thefunction of ensuring the security of folded front windshield cover,which is to hold all the system in a stored secure position againstflailing, especially when the vehicle is in motion.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 1, 8 and 11, exemplary security system isshown with security latch hook 131 126 disposed and 124 in an engaged toposition with the security bar 125 of front windshield cover sheet. Suchengagement can prevent disturbance by the element but requires a lock toensure its safety against unwanted removal.

As illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10 the windshield cover sheets 118 for theside surfaces as well as covers 124 and 130 for the front and rearwindshields are deployed to cover the respective surfaces separately.Each cover sheet is fitted with a bar and spring-loaded locking latchsystem to keep them in position. Front wind shield cover, is however,configured like vehicle hood lid with security latch and hook disposedon it. It provides two important functions to the cover system. When indeployment, it covers the front wind shield against the element. Whenall the other cover sections are in storage positions, it folds back andoverlays all the other cover sections and functions as a lid. This wayit securely locks down on all the covers, thus preventing the othercovers from flailing. When provided with a lock, it prevents vandalism.An addition of a wind breaker across the top surface of the wind shield,as in FIG. 10, will provide more protection of the cover sheetsespecially when the vehicle is in motion.

Vehicles come in different sizes. One size cover system cannot fit allcars. It requires adjustable cover system. These conditions can be metby creating extendable vehicle covers which can be shifted from onevehicle to another and adjust the size of the cover system, especiallyby extending the main rotatable round to fit on any vehicle.

As illustrated in FIG. 15, a mechanism of extending the cover system canbe designed. One way of doing this, to deploy telescoping rotatableround frame with cover sheets 118 fastened to it. Holes 141 andstop-bolts 140 are disposed for easy adjustment and control of theextension of the frame. This added advantage improves feature and makesthe functionality of the cover system of this invention much morecomplete. One other way of extending the rotatable frames is to makethem foldable.

Sequence of Deploying the Cover System

As best illustrated in FIG. 10, the cover system with sheets 118, 124,and 130 for all windows and hood surfaces is shown in storage positionon top of a vehicle. It also demonstrates the proper sequentialmanipulation steps; which is that the front windshield cover is turnedlast after all the other cover sheets have been folded up in storageposition. Wind break 132 is also provided to supplement security offolded front windshield cover sheets against flailing, especially whenthe vehicle is in motion.

As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the installation of the cover system onthe vehicle roof rack is finalized by deploying installation brackets113 which is tightened by installation bolts 123 of FIG. 3.

As best illustrated in FIG. 12, as an additional method, cover sheets118, 124 and 130 are simply hinged directly to the surface of a vehicleto be covered This version of the cover system allows the vehicleoperator to manipulate the cover sheets one by one by hand.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5, the rotatable round frames 111are fitted with cranking mechanism 116. Deployment of the installedcover system, can therefore be done by bare hand or by crankingmechanism 116. This however, falls short of one of the main objectivesof present invention, which is to make the work of deploying the coverfully automatic and effortless for the full use of the handicappedoperator.

In addition to the above illustrated method of transmitting power todeploy the cover system, there are more methods of transmitting power todeploy the proposed cover system for vehicles. Among these are twoclosely related methods, namely cross-chain and sprocket engagementmethod and round-corner engagement by gearing mechanism, as detailedbelow.

As best illustrated in FIG. 4, power transmission gears 112 areinstalled at three corners on the assembly of round rotatable frames111. This arrangement makes it much easier to deploy all cover sheets bycranking only one crank handle 116. Various other methods oftransmitting power can be used to achieve the same objective.

Cross Chain and Sprocket System

As best illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and 6, four rotatable round frames111 are disposed and arranged to form a rectangular shape similar to theroof of a vehicle. The frames are hinged to roof rack frame 115 ordirectly to the roof of the vehicle. Sprockets 119 are installed on twoof the oppositely positioned rotatable round frames. Endless cross chain120 is disposed so as to engage the sprockets on the rotatable roundframes. Round corner power transmission devises 112 are disposed onopposite corners of the assembly of rotatable round frames so as toengage two adjacent ends of the rotatable round frames. One of therotatable round frames is fitted with crank handle 116 at one of itsfree ends. Cover sheets 118 are fastened to each one of the rotatableround frames. When the crank handle is turned in any direct thecross-chain engagement forces the engaged sprockets to turn in oppositedirections. Because the rotatable round frames are also engaged by roundcorner power transmission devises, when the crank handle is turned inany direction, it forces the rotatable round frames and the cover sheetsto turn, thereby covering and uncovering the surface of the vehicle. Inshort it is only the introduction of the mechanism of the combination ofthe sprocket and cross chain that makes this additional method tocomplement the function of the other methods.

Reeling Method

The idea of hinging the cover system to the vehicle can be applied todevelop different methods of deploying the cover sheet. One of thesemethods is related to transmitting power with better simplicity. Itinvolves the use of combination of spool and cord on one hand, and thedeployment of memory hinge on the other. This mechanism will beclarified in the following specification.

As best illustrated in FIG. 13, Cover sheets 118, 124 and 130 aredisposed in deployed position covering the vehicle, and hinged to avehicle roof surface 117 by means of spring-loaded hinges 134. Thespring loading is biased outwardly so as to force the cover sheets tospread out and remain in covering position. Reeling spool 135 isdisposed and fastened to the roof surface. Cables 136 connect thereeling spool to anchor 137 on the cover sheets. Reeling spool 135 isfitted with spool crank handle 138 to facilitate easy turning of thereeling spool counter clock wise. In this particular example, when thecrank handle is turned counter clockwise, it pulls and draws on thecables tight and winds them on the reel, thus pulling the cover sheetsinward with it, and hence uncovering the surface of the vehicle. Oncethe surface is fully uncovered, the cover sheets lay flat on the vehicleroof and the crank handle is securely held in position by means of ahandle stopper anchor 139. To cover the surfaces again, the crank handleis released from the anchor allowing the spring-loaded hinges to pull onthe cover sheets and force them back to the covering position.

Alternatively, the unfastened other end of the cable can be left freefor grabbing by hand and pulling the cover sheets to uncoveringposition. A stopping latch mechanism can be deployed to stop the cablefrom returning to its previous position, thus keeping the surfaceuncovered and retaining the cover sheet in storage position. Thismechanism presents yet another method of automatically deploying thecover system.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 7 and 15, four rotatable round frames111 are disposed and arranged to form a rectangular shape similar to theroof of a vehicle. The frames are hinged to roof rack frame 115 ordirectly to the roof of the vehicle. Sprockets 119 are installed on twoof the oppositely positioned rotatable round frames. Endless cross chain120 is disposed so as to engage the sprockets on the rotatable roundframes. Round corner power transmission devises 112 are disposed onopposite corners of the assembly of rotatable round frames so as toengage two adjacent ends of the rotatable round frames. One of therotatable round frames is fitted with crank handle 116. Cover sheet 118is fastened to each one of the rotatable round frames. When the crankhandle is turned in any direct the cross chain engagement forces theengaged sprockets to turn in opposite directions. Because the rotatableround frames are also engaged by round corner power transmissiondevises, when the crank handle is turned in any direction, it forces therotatable round frames and the cover sheets to turn, thereby coveringand uncovering the surface of the vehicle. This additional method ofdeploying the combination of sprockets and cross-chain methodcomplements and helps to achieve the objectives of this invention.

Direct Hinging and Manual Operation Method

As best illustrated in FIG. 12, the cover sheets 118 are hinged directlyto the roof surface of a vehicle by means of spring-loaded hinges 134.The hinging can also be to rotatable frame 111. The direct hingingfacilitates easy installation. Each cover is then deployed with barehand, one by one.

Cover System Installation Steps

As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 4 and 7, four of such assemblies as in FIG. 5are assembled to form a rectangular shape in preparation to be installedon a vehicle roof rack 115. and fastened to it by means of installationbracket system 113. Once the assembly is mounted on the roof a vehicle,the cover sheets are fastening to the rotatable round frame in tandem tominimize collision of the cover sheets while in the process of foldingup to go into storage position.

In general, the process of deploying portable automatic vehicle cover asdetailed above has to strictly follow a pre-set sequence in thefollowing manner:

First, for the purpose of explaining the process, assume that the coverdevise is already in a deployed position of covering a vehicle like inFIG. 1. First, to uncover the vehicle, the security latches aredisengaged from the retainer security bars. Second, the crankingmechanism which engages the rear and the left side rotatable roundframes is activated so as to lift up the covers fastened to them, in theprocess, uncover the widows and ultimately lay flat on the roof of thevehicle in storage position. Second, the cranking mechanism whichengages the front and right side rotatable round frames is activated soas to uncover the respective windshield and windows; fold up andultimately lay flat over the already folded covers and hold them instored position. Finally, the retainer bars and latches are engaged andfastened to secure the cover system in stored position. Third, to coverthe vehicle like FIG. 1, it only requires to directly reverse the abovedescribed process of uncovering the vehicle. Finally, it is important toengage the security bars and latches to secure the covers in place.

This, along with the above described embodiment of this preferredinvention, completes and meets all the objectives and benefits of thisinvention; which is to make it deployable at all times, in all placesand under all conditions; thus enabling the vehicle operator toeffortlessly provide full protective cover for a vehicle, regardless ofthe operator's physical condition.

Although only a few exemplary embodiments of this invention have beendescribed in detail above, those skilled in the art would readilyappreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplaryembodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings andadvantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications areintended to be included within the scope of this application as definedin the following attached claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cover for a vehicle, said vehicle having avehicle passenger compartment and vehicle outer surface, said vehicleouter surface comprising a first side surface, a second side surface, afront windshield surface, a rear windshield surface, a front hoodsurface, a rear hood surface, and a roof surface; said cover comprising:a plurality of cover sheet; a plurality of hinges; said plurality ofcover sheet disposed on said vehicle surface; said plurality of hingedisposed to hinge said cover sheets to said vehicle surface, saidplurality of hinges having memory component, said hinge capable toreturn said plurality of cover sheet to predestined surface coveringposition; a spool, said spool disposed and fastened to a permanentobject on said vehicle surface; a plurality of reel, said reel havingone first end and one second end, said reel fastened to said spool atits said first end, said reel fastened to said cover sheet at its saidsecond end; crank handle, said crank handle attached to said spool, saidcrank handle configured to provide rotational force to said spool andwind said reel on the spool when force is applied to said crank handle,and uncover said vehicle surface; an anchor; said anchor installed on anobject on said vehicle surface; plurality of stoppage knots, saidstoppage knots installed along the length of said reel; a plurality ofhinges, said hinges having memory component, said plurality of hingesdeployed to hinge said cover sheet to said surface of a vehicle, saidhinge to force said cover sheet back to covering position of saidsurface of a vehicle when said reel is released from said anchor; andcombination of said anchor and said stoppage knots deployed to stop saidreeling action at any desired stage of deployment, said combination ofaction of said spool and reel capable to facilitate deployment of coversystem reeling to cover and uncover said vehicle surface automatically.2. The cover of claim 1, further comprising plurality of spacersdisposed on said plurality of cover sheets, for spacing said coversheets from said vehicle outer surface.
 3. The cover of claim 1, furthercomprising wind break configured to be disposed across the top area ofsaid front windshield surface.
 4. The cover of claim 1, furthercomprising motor for powering said spool turning, said motor engaged tosaid spool, said motor to enable easy turning of said spool for pullingsaid reel along with said cover sheet so as to allow said cover sheet tocover said surface of vehicle when said hinge with memory mechanismpulls on it.
 5. The cover of claim 3, further comprising a remotecontroller for controlling said motor.
 6. A cover of claim 1, furthercomprising a plurality of retainer device for each retaining arespective one of said plurality of cover sheets in either a deployed ora stored configuration and to hold in place said cover sheet againstunwanted removal or flailing.
 7. The cover of claim 1, furthercomprising security lock to hold securely said cover sheet in placeagainst unwanted removal.